In this week’s episode of Pulp Crazy, I discuss Swords against Death by Fritz Leiber. This is Book 2 of the Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser Series. The collection is comprised of 10 pieces of short fiction. It’s notable for the first appearances (from an internal chronological standpoint) of Sheelba of the Eyeless Face and Ningauble of the Seven Eyes, the patron warlocks of The Gray Mouser and Fafhrd respectively. Swords against Death also includes the cleverly titled, “Bazaar of the Bizarre.”

In honor of Robert E. Howard’s 110th Anniversary (Howard was born on January 22, 1906) I will be discussing “The Man-Eaters of Zamboula” starring Conan the Cimmerian.

It was originally published in the November 1935 issue of Weird Tales as “Shadows in Zamboula.” It is currently available in The Conquering Sword of Conan collection from Del Rey. It tells of Conan’s chaotic stay in the desert city of Zamboula.